Martin Keown has clear message for Arsenal haters in first appearance since title win

Arsenal legend Martin Keown has taken some stick this season, but he had the last laugh after the Gunners won the Premier League.

Keown has defended his beloved club with his life at times this campaign, being involved in regular debates live on talkSPORT with Simon Jordan.

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The former defender has particularly spoken about his hatred for the ‘bottling’ tag surrounding Arsenal and their title hopes in recent years given they have finished runners-up in three successive seasons.

However, he’s gone full circle with the bottle and used it to send a message to all of the club’s haters following their title win.

Keown appeared on White and Jordan on Wednesday, after the Gunners secured their first top-flight title since 2004, thanks to Bournemouth‘s draw with Man City on Tuesday evening.

“I’m just having a drink out of this…it tastes beautiful,” he said when he arrived, holding a small Arsenal-branded bottle.

The bottle was the very same one that a City fan went viral on social media for drinking out of when Mikel Arteta‘s side struggled.

But after they fought past the rough period to go on and win the Premier League, Keown made sure to hit back.

He then began: “Firstly, congratulations to the club, the supporters, there’s been a lot of pain…you lose it three times, but to see them win the Premier League, it’s a fantastic moment.

“I was at the Emirates last night, the amount of supporters there, fans everywhere, about 100,000 people there.”

“Fantastic for Arteta, you guys questioned him, but I felt that this would be the year and it’s proved to be the case,” Keown added.

“So, it’s very satisfying.”

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All about Arsenal

White and Jordan host Jim White then asked Keown whether he thinks Arsenal are the most discredited champions ever.

But the 59-year-old wanted to keep the focus on the Gunners, rather than giving any attention to any doubters.

“I work with a multitude of broadcasters, the amount of giggling that happens in my ear when Arsenal slip up,” he said.

“People have ridiculed the club, it’s not been easy.

“It might have been a pet hate for everyone, you’ve got Jamie Carragher saying it’s a national pet hate to hate Arsenal…no, it isn’t, it really isn’t.

“You get this army against you…but the conversation shouldn’t be about that today, it should be completely about Arsenal and how well they’ve done.”

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What next for the Gunners?

Keown revelled in Arsenal’s Premier League glory for a moment before already casting his mind toward the future.

He wants the Gunners to build on their success and go on and win the Champions League for the first time ever.

“There’s a Champions League final coming up,” he said. “I would say to the players: ‘Look guys, rest, enjoy, but do something that no other group has done for Arsenal in the past’.

“They can win a Champions League.”

He added: “There’s a pot there now, those photos, there’s a trophy, but don’t celebrate for too long, people will be on your back.

“But I think this is a stepping stone now for future success and they have to show that vision to take the club to the next level.”

Keown can see Arsenal going for more league titles in the coming seasons, especially with Pep Guardiola set to leave Man City.

“They’ve challenged for the last four years and now Pep has gone, I can see them challenging in the next four years,” he predicted.